The First phase of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Nagpur was inaugurated on Sunday in the presence of Devendra Fadnavis Chief Minister, Maharashtra, Nitin Gadkari Union Minister Road Transport, Highways & Shipping, Piyush Goel Minister of State – Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State Petroleum and Natural Gas and Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Trust.

ONGC has extended a support of Rs 100 crore to turn the vision of affordable world class cancer care facilities in Central India into reality. NCI is a unique CSR initiative that would provide world class Oncology treatment facilities at affordable rates to the general public of Central India. The Institute will have state of the art facilities for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancers. Being the medical hub of central India, Nagpur has been selected to setup the NCI. The NCI will be 455 bedded quaternary care oncology center. The project is slated for completion in the year 2018.

ONGC has extended support to the project through its CSR Trust - ONGC Foundation. Dr. Aabaji Thatte Seva Aur Anusandhan Sanstha is the implementing partner for the project. An agreement was signed between ONGC Foundation and Dr. Aabaji Thatte Seva Aur Anusandhan Sanstha on May 22, 2017.

The total cost of the project is Rs 565.20 crore. Out of ONGC’s support of Rs 100 crore, Rs 50 Crore shall be used for procurement of medical equipment for Radio diagnostic facilities (like MRI, Citi scan, ultrasound, Mammography, X-ray and Bone Marrow Densito meter) to be setup on the ground floor of the Institute. The balance Rs 50 Crore shall be used for construction of first floor, having the OPD chambers, and the second floor having economy ward. ONGC has released a sum of Rs 30 crore as 1st instalment towards the project.

Addressing the gathering, Dharmendra Pradhan said that the institute will be one of the most modern and largest of its kind and provide quality cancer care at affordable cost.

Piyush Goyal said "I’m sure the National Cancer Institute will get world-class fame and serve the people of Nagpur and Vidarbha belt".

Speaking on the occasion, Devendra Fadnavis said that the mission and thought behind this institute is to make available the best treatment in the world at lowest cost to help masses.

The center will provide comprehensive cancer treatment, patient care and research through sustainable charity. In addition to providing general cancer care, the institute will also create specialty groups of highly skilled professionals who will be master in treatment of select group of cancers. The institute also plans to start University recognized training courses for nurses, paramedical staff and medical fraternity including super specialty training in Oncology and PhD programs.

The primary beneficiaries of the project will be Cancer patients belonging to Central India referred by Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and Cancer patients identified by the NGOs & local physicians in the 500 km radius of Nagpur. First phase facilities shall help about 1500 – 2000 cancer patients per month.